As the demand for body contouring increases with the spread of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) obesity treatments, South Korean pharmaceutical companies are accelerating their efforts in the fat-dissolving injection market. This strategy aims to capitalize on the growing need for localized body management following weight loss, positioning fat-dissolving injections as a new growth area in aesthetics.
According to industry sources, GC Green Cross Wellbeing recently signed a licensing agreement with the biotech firm Raziel Therapeutics to commercialize a next-generation localized fat-dissolving injection in South Korea. This agreement grants the company exclusive rights for domestic development and commercialization of a substance that is nearing Phase 3 clinical trials with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The candidate substance is being developed to target fat reduction in specific areas. It aims to expand beyond the existing focus on submental fat to include various areas such as the abdomen and arms. Raziel Therapeutics highlights that the injection is designed to achieve fat cell removal with just a single administration.
The company has expanded its obesity-related portfolio by securing fat-dissolving injections in addition to its distribution of 'Maunja-ro.' It plans to strengthen its aesthetic business based on a network of dermatology and internal medicine clinics that supply beauty injections like 'Rinex' and 'Multivitamin Injection.'
Currently, the South Korean fat-dissolving injection market is primarily dominated by deoxycholic acid (DCA) products. Notable examples include Daewoong Pharmaceutical's 'Violet' and LG Chem's 'Bellacoline.' These injections focus on directly destroying fat cells to reduce circumference in targeted areas.
Daewoong Pharmaceutical has successfully established itself in the market by being the first to launch Violet, securing safety and efficacy through a large-scale Phase 3 clinical trial and post-marketing surveillance involving over 960 participants. The company has built an aesthetic lineup targeting body contouring needs by adding fat-dissolving injections to its offerings of botulinum toxin 'Nabota' and filler 'Declassy.'
Medytox has entered the market with 'Newbeau,' the world's first fat-dissolving injection containing cholic acid (CA). This product focuses on reducing adverse reactions such as pain, swelling, and bruising by using a low-surfactant cholic acid. Within two months of its launch, it recorded cumulative sales of 10,000 vials.
Through Newbeau, Medytox has expanded its aesthetic portfolio, which previously centered on botulinum toxin and fillers, to include fat-dissolving injections. A company representative stated, "As the use of obesity treatments increases, there is also a growing demand for targeted body management. The trend of fat-dissolving injection procedures is rising to eliminate residual fat after weight loss."
Industry experts believe that the fat-dissolving injection market has significant growth potential, given the relatively low number of competitors and the steady increase in demand for non-surgical cosmetic procedures. One industry insider noted, "With the spread of GLP-1 obesity treatments, interest in body management is also rising. Since obesity treatments and fat-dissolving injections complement each other, we can expect continued movements to build related portfolios together."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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